Ash Crimson

Introduced in The King of Fighters 2003, Ash leads the New Hero Team of Duo Lon and Shen Woo which participates in a new King of Fighters tournament.{{cite web |title=Hero Team Story|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof2003_story/index.php|work=King of Fighters Official Website | access-date= August 9, 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110709101751/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kof2003_story/index.php| archive-date= July 9, 2011 | url-status= live}} After the tournament, he ambushes host Chizuru Kagura and steals her powers, telling Iori Yagami he will be his next opponent.{{cite video game|quote=Ash: Where... is... it... now?/Chizuru: Ah.. ah.../Ash: Oh, oh, oh, here we are. With this my objective has come to fruition.|title=The King of Fighters 2003 |developer=SNK Playmore |publisher=SNK Playmore |date=2003|platform=Neo Geo }} In The King of Fighters XI, the character teams up with Oswald and Shen Woo.{{cite web |title=Hero Team Story|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kofxi_story/index.php|work=King of Fighters Official Website | access-date= August 9, 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110709104236/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/kofxi_story/index.php| archive-date= July 9, 2011 | url-status= live}} At the game's end Ash leaves his teammates to fight each other, after disclosing that Oswald's price for joining him was finding a drug he can only obtain after defeating their pharmacist's enemy, their own teammate Shen.{{cite video game|quote=Ash: Shen wanted a strong opponent... And Oswald wanted money and information about the drug... /.../ Ash: You see, the drug known as "Dragon Pills" is only made by a pharmacist in Shangai. They won't sell it, but they will give it to anyone who defeats their mortal enemy, Shen Woo. / ... / Ash: I'll leave the rest to you. Bon Voyage!|title=The King of Fighters XI |developer=SNK Playmore |publisher=SNK Playmore |year=2006|platform=Playstation 2 }} He later finds a berserker, Iori, defeats him and steals his powers.{{cite video game|quote=Iori: Grrrr.... I'll kill you... Kyo.../ ... /Shingo:A-Ash... Iori's just gone crazy.../ ... /Iori: Kill.../Ash: Those eyes... I see... If it's this advanced, then that means... Hehhheee. So much pressure!|title=The King of Fighters XI |developer=SNK Playmore |publisher=SNK Playmore |date=November 13, 2007 |platform=Playstation 2 }} When Ash's comrade Elisabeth Blanctorche accuses him of abandoning his original mission and becoming obsessed with power, he leaves after saying that Kyo Kusanagi will be his next victim.{{cite video game|quote=Elizabeth: Ash Crimson! Have you forgotten your mission?! /.../ Ash: You're as scary as ever, aren't you? But don't think that you can bully me. You want to know why? Because... I'm not the person I used to be./ Elisabeth: !! That color! Iori Yagami's flames? No, it can't be... Orochi? /.../ Ash: When Kyo wakes up, tell him something for me. Tell him he's next.|title=The King of Fighters XI |developer=SNK Playmore |publisher=SNK Playmore |date=November 13, 2007 |platform=Playstation 2 }} Ash also appears as an available fighter in the KOF: Maximum Impact 2's update KOF Maximum Impact Regulation A and The King of Fighters XII, games without a storyline.{{cite web |title=The King of Fighters XII|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/history.php?num=kofxii|work=King of Fighters Official Website | access-date= August 9, 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110709065019/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/history/history.php?num=kofxii| archive-date= July 9, 2011 | url-status= live}}{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/821/821993p1.html|title=TGS 2007: King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation A Hands-On|publisher=IGN|date=September 21, 2007|author=Ahearn, Nate|access-date=April 11, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090228114840/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/821/821993p1.html| archive-date= February 28, 2009 | url-status= live}}

In The King of Fighters XIII Ash is the only character not part of a team,{{cite web| url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/249/249154/img.html | title=アッシュ編がついに完結！ 舞にユリ、キングも参戦する『KOF XIII』は夏稼働 - 電撃オンライン (King of Fighters XIII character select image) | date=March 25, 2010 | access-date=March 27, 2010 | publisher=Dengeki Online | language=ja| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100329204941/http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/249/249154/img.html| archive-date= March 29, 2010 | url-status= live}} and it is learned that he works for Those From the Past (seen in 2003 and XI). However, he has a conflict with organization leader Saiki at the end of the game, with his real plan revealed. Ash is the final boss in The King of Fighters XIII as {{nihongo|"Ash driven insane by the Spiral of Blood"|血の螺旋に狂うアッシュ|Chi no Rasen ni Kuruu Asshu}} (also known as Evil Ash) with power stolen from Saiki, who is trying to possess him instead. He ultimately sacrifices himself to destroy Saiki, his very own ancestor.{{cite video game|quote=Ash Crimson: I "erased" my ancestor so most likely... so I never existed then...|title=The King of Fighters XIII |developer=Atlus |publisher=SNK Playmore |year=2011 |platform=Playstation 3, Xbox 360 }} While Ash's memories start disappearing from almost every people who knew him, he still makes cameos in some endings.{{cite video game|quote=???: Nothing's change. ♪|title=The King of Fighters XIII |developer=Atlus |publisher=SNK Playmore |year=2011 |platform=Playstation 3, Xbox 360 }}

It is revealed in The King of Fighters XIV that Ash is trapped in a time vortex, with an entity known as Verse enveloping him. It is later also revealed that Verse, along with an unnamed blue creature, whose half of their power fragments somehow implanted into young Shun'ei, was created from Ash's result on changing his timeline back in the previous tournament, creating timeline interferences and resulting in Samurai Shodowns Nakoruru traveling to the present and stuck there, along with a time-displaced Mui Mui of Dragon Gal and Love Heart of Sky Love. The new tournament participant, Kukri of the Official Invitation Team, is hired by Elisabeth to find Ash's whereabouts. With Verse's defeat as his reality manipulation energy spreads around worldwide, Kukri and Elisabeth finally found Ash alive.{{cite video game|title=The King of Fighters XIV|year=2016|publisher=Atlus USA|developer=SNK|quote=Kukri: ... Still not awake, but it's probably alright... / Elizabeth: Thank you. / Kukri:' I just did my job}} Due to the ongoing multiversal crisis which revives many deceased fighters like himself in his home universe, he returns in The King of Fighters XV, accompanied by his childhood friend Elisabeth, and their new ally, Kukri, and manage to survive the event without ceasing from existence, thanks to Kukri's confirmation of the outcome on defeating Otoma=Raga, thus finally live peacefully with Elisabeth once again.{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-09-02/king-of-fighters-xv-game-reveals-trailer-for-ash-crimson/.176946|title=King of Fighters XV Game Reveals Trailer for Ash Crimson|website=Anime News Network|access-date=October 28, 2021|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028023117/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-09-02/king-of-fighters-xv-game-reveals-trailer-for-ash-crimson/.176946|url-status=live}}

Ash has made appearances in various other King of Fighters media as well. In the fourth chapter of the anime The King of Fighters: Another Day, he sets fire to a city to lure Kyo into a trap.{{cite video game|title=KOF Maximum Impact 2 |developer=SNK Playmore|publisher=SNK Playmore|date=April 27, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|level=The King of Fighters: Another Day}} He is also prominent in the manhua adaptations of The King of Fighters 2003 by Wing Yang and King Tung. In the 2003 tournament, Ash's team is defeated in the final but later helps defeat the demon Mukai.{{cite book |last=Yen|first=Wig |title=The King of Fighters 2003, Volume 1|year=2005 |publisher=Dr. Master Productions|isbn=978-1-58899-030-3}} Although he is not part of the recurring tournament in The King of Fighters XII manhua, he briefly confronts Kyo in an attempt to steal his powers.{{cite book |last=Otto |first=Nekketsu |title=The King of Fighters XII, Volume 12|year=2009 |publisher=Lucky Dragon Comics|isbn=978-2-07-332100-8}} Ash also appears in the CD drama KOF: Mid Summer Struggle, which has a mock King of Fighters tournament.{{cite book | author=Ureshino, Akihiko| date=September 16, 2005 | title=The King of Fighters Perfect Reader | publisher=SNK Playmore | isbn=9784822217112}} Outside The King of Fighters, the character appears in a dating sim part of the Days of Memories series.{{cite web | url=http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/dom/episode/index.html | title=僕と彼女と古都の恋 | access-date=August 2, 2015 | publisher=SNK Playmore | language=ja | archive-date=April 23, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423061800/http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/dom/episode/index.html | url-status=live }}

Ash was designed as an "attractive evil character", in contrast to previous King of Fighters heroes. The supervising designer created the character as desired, with few changes since conception. When The King of Fighters 2003 was released and Ash introduced, the staff did not want to disclose information about him, instead telling fans to look forward to his "exploits." His canonical height is 178 cm (5'10") and he weighs 59 kg (130 lbs).{{cite web |title=Ash Crimson's KOF 10th anniversary profile |url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/character/index.php?num=ash |work=King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website |access-date=February 19, 2008 |archive-date=April 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410025418/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/character/index.php?num=ash |url-status=live }} According to a staff member, Falcoon, the goal was to make Ash an ambiguous protagonist who made players "feel bad" for cheering for him. Although Falcoon did not design the character, he added details while illustrating him.{{cite web | url= http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20041222/kof.htm | title= SNKプレイモア、シリーズ10周年記念「KOF忘年会」を開催「KOF2004」は出ない! 別の「KOF」の開発は順調 | work= Game Watch | access-date= September 16, 2008 | language= ja | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080929131150/http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20041222/kof.htm | archive-date= September 29, 2008 | url-status= dead | df= mdy-all }} Akihiko Ureshino saud Ash has the weakest relationships among protagonists. Although it is not clearly depicted, these three are probably just friends who happened to be in Shanghai at the time of "2003" and became acquainted with each other. One of them is a traitorous teenager with no sense of ethics, and the other is a thug that the yakuza would avoid and an assassin possessed by a vengeful spirit, so there is no room for friendship to be born there. However, the ending of XII was written to stand out their connections. Since the "Ash arc" and the Maximum Impact games were developed at the same time, Akihiko Ureshino decided to write a subplot in the latter work where Ash is depicted as a puppeteer who manipulates Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami at the same time, most notably in the original net animation Another Day.{{cite web|title=夕陽と月|language=Japanese|access-date=September 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604124639/http://www.snkplaymore.jp/blog/ureshino/archives/2006/02/post_12.html|url=http://www.snkplaymore.jp/blog/ureshino/archives/2006/02/post_12.html|archive-date=June 4, 2011|website=SNK Playmore}} His moves were named after months from the French Republican calendar.{{cite book|title=The King Of Fighters: The Ultimate History|page=23|publisher=Bitmap Books|year=2021}}

Due to Ash's late appearance in The King of Fighters 2003, the staff joked that teammate Shen Woo seemed more like the series' main character than Ash did.{{cite web |title=Shen Woo's KOF 10th anniversary profile |url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/character/index.php?num=shen|work=King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website | access-date= August 12, 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110709100403/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/character/index.php?num=shen| archive-date= July 9, 2011 | url-status= live}} One of three reasons for the title of KOF: Maximum Impact 2 Regulation "A" was Ash's introduction to the spin-off series.{{cite web| url= http://www.snkplaymore.jp/blog/falcoon/archives/2007/04/| script-title= ja:2007年04月29日| publisher= SNK Playmore| author= Falcoon| access-date= August 10, 2011| language= ja| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110629134941/http://www.snkplaymore.jp/blog/falcoon/archives/2007/04/| archive-date= June 29, 2011| url-status= dead| df= mdy-all}} Falcoon called the character "really wild" because of his role in the series and his personality.{{cite web |title=Remembrances with KOF illustrator|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=3|work=King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website | access-date= August 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017122339/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=3|archive-date=October 17, 2007}} Nona (another artist in charge) said that of the original King of Fighters characters, he liked Ash and looked forward to his development.{{cite web |title=Remembrances with KOF illustrator (Nona)|url=http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=9|work=King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website | access-date= August 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017122418/http://kofaniv.snkplaymore.co.jp/english/comment/remember_kof.php?num=9|archive-date=October 17, 2007}}

Elisabeth, who first appears in XI, is written by Akihiko Ureshino as Ash's former guardian and older sister figure, a woman who believed in the clan's mission and guided Ash in a similar fashion Chizuru Kagura from the Orochi arc video games. It is more affectionate towards Ash, and feels something similar to familial love or even romantic feelings.{{cite web|url=https://note.com/ureshino_te/n/na53169af7261|title=【SNK】アッシュと○○【KOF】|date=March 11, 2022 |language=Japanese|access-date=August 30, 2024}} In The King of Fighters XII Ash was the character the staff worked on the most, reworking his movements and speech to be more consistent with the rest of the cast.{{cite web | url=http://ffl.sakura.ne.jp/topic/press/kof12.htm| title=KOF XII ＆ KOF2002UM 開発者インタビュー|publisher=Front Fighters Line|access-date=January 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307150518/http://ffl.sakura.ne.jp/topic/press/kof12.htm|archive-date=March 7, 2009}} The King of Fighters XIII producer Kei Yamamoto jokingly called him a character players could use to "show off". His EX version in the game makes more multiple hits than his regular form, and the "disgusting" style of his {{nihongo|"Génie"|ジェニー}} move is said to fit his character. Since his introduction, Ash has acquired new moves in accordance with his action in the series. After The King of Fighters 2003 Ash gained Chizuru Kagura's {{nihongo|"Germinar"|ジェルミナール}}, a move allowing him to steal his opponents' special moves. After defeating Iori Yagami, the character acquired the {{nihongo|"Fructidor"|テルミドール}} Neo Max move (his strongest attack in The King of Fighters XIII). During the game's development, the staff considered returning Fructidor's animation style to an earlier version they had tested.{{cite web | url=http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/kof-xiii/blog/archives/2010/04/post_8.html| title=チーム紹介 アッシュ|publisher=SNK Playmore|access-date=August 9, 2011|date=April 28, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110709131828/http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/kof-xiii/blog/archives/2010/04/post_8.html| archive-date= July 9, 2011 | url-status= live}}

For The King of Fighters XIII, producer Kei Yamamoto wanted gamers who had played previous titles with Ash to consider the character's motivation and whether they could relate to him.{{cite web |title=The King of Fighters XIII Interview |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/11/01/the-king-of-fighters-xiii-interview-fighting-its-way-back-to-the-throne/ |work=PlayStation Blog |date=November 2011 |access-date=November 3, 2011 |archive-date=November 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104173533/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/11/01/the-king-of-fighters-xiii-interview-fighting-its-way-back-to-the-throne/ |url-status=live }} Artist Eisuke Ogura stated that designing Ash's final form was conceived shortly after he saw early designs of Saiki. Following this, Ogura tried drawing Ash's possessed form from The King of Fighters XIII where he was careful in showing that while the enemy's body is Ash's, the one fighting is Saiki as represented by his black flames. Despite early pressure about that, once seeing Saiki's similarities with Ash, Ogura managed to draw the Evil Ash easily. The idea behind this character was giving an vibe of a repulsive person.{{cite web|url=https://game.snk-corp.co.jp/official/kof-xiii/blog/archives/2010/09/kof_xiii_7.html|publisher=SNK|access-date=October 25, 2019|language=ja|title="おぐらえいすけ"さんが語る！『KOF XIII』その2|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308144225/https://game.snk-corp.co.jp/official/kof-xiii/blog/archives/2010/09/kof_xiii_7.html|url-status=live}}

For The King of Fighters XV, designer Tomohiro Nakata said several fans already knew The King of Fighters XIV would tease his return. In his reappearance in XV, Ash was given a new design reminiscent of the original one. While SNK looked forward to his interactions to his previous enemies Chizuru and Iori,{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/heres-how-the-ash-crimson-sans-culottes-will-work-in-kof-xv/|title=Here's How the Ash Crimson Sans-Culottes Will Work in KOF XV|website=Siliconera|date=September 7, 2021|accessdate=October 8, 2022|archive-date=October 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008152431/https://www.siliconera.com/heres-how-the-ash-crimson-sans-culottes-will-work-in-kof-xv/|url-status=live}} they were also glad that he managed to join his friend Elizabeth for the first time in the franchise due to their close relationship.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/new-kof-xv-commentary-goes-over-elisabeths-coup-de-vent/|title=New KOF XV Commentary Goes Over Elisabeth's Coup De Vent|website=Siliconera|date=January 25, 2022|accessdate=October 8, 2022|archive-date=October 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008152428/https://www.siliconera.com/new-kof-xv-commentary-goes-over-elisabeths-coup-de-vent/|url-status=live}} During the development stage, there was a plan to introduce a beautiful girl character who would make fans suspect, "Maybe this girl likes Ash?", so if that girl had actually appeared, Betty might have become more like Chizuru, or conversely, more like Ash's girlfriend. In any case, with Ash safely returning in XV and the trouble that came with it being cleared up, the relationships between Ash and Betty, or between Ash and Shen and Duo Lon, may change in the future. After all, unlike the Sacred Treasures, who are forever haunted by the shadow of Orochi, Ash and his friends no longer have their nemesis, Saiki. Looking at it from another perspective, it could be said that he is unlikely to enter future KOFs unless he has some kind of strong motivation, but Ureshino feels that it would be fine for Ash to just relax and make a flower crown for Betty rather than take part in a sweaty tournament.{{cite web|url=https://note.com/ureshino_te/n/na53169af7261|title=【SNK】アッシュと○○【KOF】|date=March 11, 2022 |language=Japanese|access-date=August 30, 2024}}

Ash Crimson's character had a mixed reception in video-game publications. When he was introduced, GameSpy{{'}}s Christian Nutt called him a "clone" of Guile from the Street Fighter series because of their similar movesets but Ash's team was praised as new characters with new elements in the series.{{cite web|url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/king-of-fighters-2002-2003/588696p1.html|title=King of Fighters 2002/2003|publisher=GameSpy|author=Nutt, Christian|date=February 17, 2005|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-date=October 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005221700/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/king-of-fighters-2002-2003/588696p1.html|url-status=live}} Lucas M. Thomas of IGN wrote that a major fan complaint was the character's strength in the games, which made him one of the strongest opponents despite an apparent lack of effort. According to Thomas, Ash is "nothing if not strange" and the writer lamented his many appearances in the KOF 2003 manhua compared with more-popular characters.{{cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/701/701698p1.html|title=The King of Fighters 2003 Vol. 1 Review|publisher=IGN|author=Thomas, Lucas M.|date=March 8, 2008|access-date=July 29, 2008|archive-date=February 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222023011/http://comics.ign.com/articles/701/701698p1.html|url-status=live}} GameType compared him to Guile and Remy from Street Fighter due to his special moves and felt the fact that he using flames as part of them felt obligatory for being a KOF protagonist.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/gametype01/Gametype%2017/page/8/mode/1up|title=New Games|language=Spanish|work=GameType|access-date=September 4, 2024}} In a restrospective article, Polygon noted The King of Fighters story arcs involving the character fighting across in different eras with the era of K' starting in The King of Fighters '99 where he replaces the previous protagonist Kyo as one of the most marketable characters often seen in promotional artwork from the game. However, with The King of Fighters 2003, K' would be replaced by Ash Crimson, marking the start of another era. This is noted by how the marketing of 2003 primarily focuses on Ash Crimson and colors reflecting his design.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/22929632/king-of-fighters-15-characters-history-of-evolution|title=King of Fighters started as a tournament of franchises; it’s become a tournament of eras|website=Polygon|access-date=October 29, 2024|date=February 11, 2022|author=Leone, Matt}}

When playable characters for the arcade version of The King of Fighters XIII were introduced, Anime News Network{{'}}s Todd Ciolek speculated about Ash's lack of teammates and wondered if he was alone because "no one likes Ash now."{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2010-07-14|title=The X Button Dramatis Persona|publisher=Anime News Network|author=Ciolek, Todd|date=July 14, 2010|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030162932/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2010-07-14|url-status=live}} Marissa Meli of UGO Networks ranked Ash sixteenth on a list of "The Most Androgynous Video Game Characters", with Meli jokingly attributing his androgynous appearance to a desire by Japanese designers to confuse Western gamers about their sexuality.{{cite web|title=He or She? The Most Androgynous Video Game Characters|publisher=UGO.com|date=January 26, 2011 |author=Meli, Marissa|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/ash-crimson-king-of-fighters-series|access-date=June 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416191930/http://www.ugo.com/games/ash-crimson-king-of-fighters-series|archive-date=April 16, 2014}} Writers for Game Informer joked about their surprise at the discovery that Ash is a male character.{{cite press release|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/king_of_fighters_xii/b/xbox360/archive/2011/09/16/king-of-fighters-xiii-exclusive-first-look-video.aspx|title=King of Fighters XII|publisher=Game Informer|date=September 16, 2011|author=Hilliard, Kyle|access-date=September 17, 2011|archive-date=August 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821131233/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/king_of_fighters_xii/b/xbox360/archive/2011/09/16/king-of-fighters-xiii-exclusive-first-look-video.aspx|url-status=dead}} After UTV Ignition Entertainment polled fans to choose an artbox for console versions of The King of Fighters XII, the company announced that Ash's unpopularity reduced the number of potential covers to two (featuring Kyo and Iori).{{cite press release|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/980/980028p1.html|title=King of Fighters Fans Choose Official Box Art|publisher=IGN|date=May 6, 2009|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-date=May 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509235911/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/980/980028p1.html|url-status=live}} Den of Geek described Ash as one of the best The King of Fighters with the writer comparing him with Loki based on their antagonistic and tricky behaviour as well as how his heroic traits in KOF XIII gave fans different thoughts,{{cite press release|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/king-of-fighters/258397/king-of-fighters-ranking-all-the-characters/page/0/4|title=King of Fighters: Ranking All the Characters|publisher=Den of Geek|access-date=July 31, 2017|archive-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102173147/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/king-of-fighters/258397/king-of-fighters-ranking-all-the-characters/page/0/4|url-status=live}} while Complex described him as one of gaming's "douchiest" characters androgynous look as well as how he steals the powers of Chizuru Kagura and Iori Yagami.{{cite press release|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/04/the-25-douchiest-video-game-characters/2|title=The 25 Douchiest Video Game Characters|publisher=Complex|access-date=October 9, 2017|archive-date=September 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901080708/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/04/the-25-douchiest-video-game-characters/2|url-status=live}} GamesRadar found the character's name as one of the worst one ever seen in gaming.{{cite press release|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/25-most-gloriously-stupid-character-names-video-games/|title=The 50 most gloriously stupid character names in gaming|publisher=GamesRadar|access-date=September 22, 2018|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111172934/https://www.gamesradar.com/25-most-gloriously-stupid-character-names-video-games/|url-status=live}}

In an interview with Ignition Entertainment director of business development Shane Bettehausen, Alex Lucard of Diehard GameFan said that North American SNK fans detested Ash and complained about his inclusion in The King of Fighters XII without a storyline while popular series characters were overlooked. Bettehausen defended the character, calling him "nuanced and improved" and his moves "incredibly effective".{{cite web|url=http://diehardgamefan.com/2009/04/28/interview-with-ignition-entertainments-shane-bettenhausen-about-the-king-of-fighters-xii/|author=Lucard, Alex|date=April 28, 2007|title=Interview with Ignition Entertainment's Shane Bettenhausen About The King of Fighters XII|publisher=Diehardgamefan|access-date=April 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429093113/http://diehardgamefan.com/2009/04/28/interview-with-ignition-entertainments-shane-bettenhausen-about-the-king-of-fighters-xii/|archive-date=April 29, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} In June 2009, Stephen Totilo of Kotaku interviewed Bettehausen, who asked him while Totilo was playing to guess Ash's gender. When Totilo said the character was female, Betehausen called KOF "progressive" in introducing a cross-dressing character and said that fans were apparently "warming up to him".{{cite web|url=http://m.kotaku.com/5285750/the-king-of-fighters-xii-for-novices|author=Totilo, Stephen|date=June 10, 2009|title=The King of Fighters XII For Novices|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512103203/https://kotaku.com/the-king-of-fighters-xii-for-novices-5285750|url-status=live}} On Destructoid, Jonathan Holmes praised Ash's character as "defying traditional gender roles while kicking some ass" and called him "the perfect mascot for the KoF series as a whole."{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-the-king-of-fighters-xiii-217185.phtml|author=Holmes, Jonathan|title=Review: The King of Fighters XIII|publisher=Destructoid|access-date=April 11, 2013|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023223739/https://www.destructoid.com/review-the-king-of-fighters-xiii-217185.phtml|url-status=live}} Kevin S.from GameRevolution wondered about his removal in The King of Fighters XIV seeing Ash as a "fan favorite" character.{{Cite web

|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/the-king-of-fighters-xiv

|title=The King of Fighters XIV Review

|author=S., Kevin

|publisher=GameRevolution

|date=August 23, 2016

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160823182901/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/the-king-of-fighters-xiv

|archive-date=August 23, 2016

|access-date=April 14, 2017

|url-status=dead

}}

Famitsu noted Ash Crimson came across as a surprise to gamers for his ambiguous characterization as even though he is supposed to be third hero of KOF, the ending of the Sacred Treasures Team makes him look like a villain when attacking Chizuru Kagura and stealing the sources of her powers. This resulted in several mysteries that the audience wanted SNK to explore in future games. In the demo of The King of Fighters XIII it was revealed that Ash works from "Those Who Come From That Faraway Land" who serve as the main villains. The fact that the story mode reveals that Ash is working for Saiki further explore the ambiguity he is involved with until the revealation he was just an agent. In regards to his final boss form possessed by Saiki, Famitsu regarded him as a strong opponent based on how he abuses projectiles.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/matome/kof-xv/story03.html|title=シリーズの歴史をプレイバック！ 『KOF』ヒストリーその3 アッシュ編|magazine=Famitsu|access-date=August 31, 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

{{King of Fighters Characters|state=expanded}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crimson, Ash}}

Category:Fictional French people in video games

Category:Male characters in video games

Category:The King of Fighters characters

Category:Video game bosses

Category:Video game characters introduced in 2003

Category:Video game characters with fire or heat abilities

Category:Fictional savateurs